Draft rigging



Aug. V23, 1938.

y E.v H. BLATTNER.

DRAFT RIGGING Filed Dec. '7, .1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a AEffe @a fio Patented Aug. 23, 1938 yU NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRAFT RIGGING Application December 7, 1934, Serial No. 756,531

11 Claims.

This invention relates to draft rigging for railway vehicles and, more particularly, to a swivel butt coupler or one in which the stem has a member pivotally connected to the rear'portion thereof.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the provision of animproved form of swiveling coupler in which unintentional improper assembly of the swivel block or pivotally connected member and coupler stem is prevented, while at the same time avoidingany substantial loss in bearing area between said stem and-swivel block or member.

Another object of my invention is4 the provision of a swivel butt coupler in which the swivel block f or pivotally connected member has` bevelled portions on the upper intermediate loop only at the extremities of the operating arc, the intermediate portion being rectangular and furnishing full bearing at the point where it is most-effective.

A further object of `my invention is the provision of a swivel butt coupler comprisinga stem and swivel block or member pivotally connected by means extending through the intercalated flanges of said parts, all of `said flanges having edge surfaces coaxial `with the pivotal means, but one of said flanges being on a radium different from that of the companion flange, and the Ibearing surfaces cooperating with the edge surfaces of the flanges being on corresponding'radii sothat assembly between the stem and swivel block o1' member to a position permittinginser- .tion of the pivot-al means is only possible when the stemand swivel `block or member are in proper relative position.

Other yobjects and advantages of the invention relating to thev particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as'the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:-

Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, illustrating a coupler and yoke connected by a horizontal key and embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical central sectional view of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1.

Fig. .3 is a fragmentaryV view of the coupler `stem as shown in Fig. 2, but detached from the swivel block.

Fig. 4 is aside elevation ofthe swivel b-lock detached from the coupler stem.

Fig. 5 isa ,fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3,-looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. Gris a fragmentary plan of the swivel block shown in Fig. 4.

Figs. '7 and 8 areviews correspondingrespectively, to Figs..3 and 4, but showing" another embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and first considering the embodiment of my. invention .10 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, there is illustrated a swiveling coupler Ifconnected to a .yoke 2 by means of a horizontal draft .key-3. lAlthough a horizontal yoke is illustrated, I do not wish to be limited to this type. Said key serves-to hold the 15 coupler and. yoke in alignment as well as connect the same, and is supported in the usual manner between the draft or center sills (not shown).

The swivel butt coupler I may be considered as formed of a main coupler portion or `stem 4. and 20 a swivelblock or auxiliary portion .5 pivotally connected thereto by means of a normally vertical pin or pivotal meanst. The swivel block 5 isv operatively connectedto the yoke ..2 for the transmission of draft forces therebetween by the key -3, before mentioned. On .account .of .the

swivel block or auxiliary member 5 beingpivotally connected to the stem 4, a two-.part or articulated coupler is provided.

The coupler stern 4, in the present embodiment, 30 is provided with rearwardly extending normally .horizontal flanges or web portions 'I and.8, vsaid portions having their edge surfaces 9 and I0 curved coaxially with the aperturesII .and I2 .which receive the pivot pin 6. The swivelblock 15 likewise is provided with forwardly extending flange or web portions I3, I4 Yand I5, which Aclosely interengage the web portions I and 8 of the coupler and formpockets I6 and I'I therebetween for operatively receiving the flanges 1 and 8 of the coupler stem. 'Ihese pockets I6. and II'I are defined by forwardly facing bearing surfaces I8 and I9 coaxial with the apertures 20, 2|, 22 and V23 through thai-lange means I3, I4 and-|5, so that they serve as bearings for the 4 edge surfaces 9 andIIl on the flanges I and 8 of the coupler stem.

The flanges I3 and. I5 ofthe swivel block are likewise provided withcoaxial edge portions cooperating with correspondingly curved anges 24 50 and 25 on-the coupler stem. .The central flange portion I4 on the swivel block is intersected by -a way or slot .26 for the key member `3 forming, in eect, two flanges 21 and28, each of which is likewise formed with coaxiallfy Curved edge faces ,.55

29 and 38 for cooperating with the correspondingly curved pocket bearing surfaces 3| and 32 on the coupler stem.

The pivot pin 6 is normally supported on a ledge 33 which prevents it from dropping out of place. Upward movement of the pin is desirably prevented by a cotter or other retaining means 34 extending through lugs 35 upstanding from the upper surface of the swivel block 5 and disposed on opposite sides of the aperture 20. It is highly desirable that the swivel block or connected member be assembled with the stem in normal position, with the supporting ledge 33 for the pivot pin at the bottom, so that loss of said pin is prevented. If all of the curved flanges and cooperating pockets on the connected parts are the same, a careless workman might apply the swivel block or other member to the stem upside down, with the pin supported only by the cotter 34 therebeneath. In order `to avoid this undesirable possibility, while maintaining substantially full bearing area between all the flanges and corresponding bearing surfaces on the associated part, I, in the present embodiment, bevel the flange 21 at the extremities only of the operating arc, as indicated at 38, thereby maintaining full bearing area for substantial distances on each side of the longitudinal vertical central plane where the bearing area is most effective, and making the flange 21 appreciably smaller than the flange 28. The pocket between the flanges 1 and 8 on the coupler stem is formed with lugs 31 at each end of the operating arc, said lugs having diagonal surfaces corresponding with the bevel 36, and being short enough circumferentially to allow the desired clearance with respect to the central portion 38 of the ilange 21 so as not to interfere with the desired angling between the swivel block and stem.

On account of the provision of the bevelled portions 36 on the swivel block or connected member and the lugs 31 on the couple stem, it is impossible to apply the swivel block in intercalated relation with respect to the stem to a position where the pivot pin apertures register sufficiently to allow application of said pin, except when the swivel block is in the desired normal relative position with respect to the stem, because the lugs 31 do not permit the unbevelled flange 28 to be positioned when above the bevelled ange 21, but would prevent the mating of the parts to a degree suicient to permit the application of the pivot pin, assuming the flanges 21 and 28 to have the same maximum radii.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, there is shown a coupler stem 4a provided with rearwardly extending normally horizontal flanges or web portions 1a and 8a, said portions having their edge surfaces 9a and II)a curved coaxially with the apertures I Ia and I2a which receive the pivot pin Ia for connection with the associated swivel block or auxiliary member 5a, as in the preceding embodiment. The edge surfaces 9a and |0a are not only coaxial with the apertures IIa and |221, but

are also desirably formed about equal radii, as in the preceding embodiment.

The swivel block 5a is provided with forwardly extending flange or web portions I3a, Illa and |511, which closely interengage the web portions 1a and 8a of the coupler stem and form pockets IIa and I1a therebetween for operatively receiving the flanges 'la and 8a of the coupler stem. These pockets I6a and I1a are dened by forwardly facing bearing surfaces I8@ and ISE coaxial with the apertures 20a, 2l'fl, 22a and 23a, through the flange means I3a, I4a and I5a, and formed about radii corresponding with the radii of the flanges 1a and 8a, as in the preceding embodiment, so that they serve as bearings for the edge surfaces 9JZL and IIIa on said flanges.

The lianges I3a and I5a of the swivel block are provided with edge surfaces formed on equal radii and coaxial with the pivot pin apertures, as in the preceding embodiment, said surfaces normally cooperating with corresponding bearing surfaces on correspondingly curved flanges 24a and 25a on the coupler stem. The central flange portion Illa is intersected by a way or slot 2Ia for a key member corresponding with that designated by the reference character 3 in the preceding embodiment, forming, in effect, two flanges 21 and 28a, each of which is likewise formed with coaxial curved edge faces 29a and 3|]a for cooperating with the correspondingly curved pocket bearing surfaces 3|ab and 32a on the coupler stem.

As in the preceding embodiment, the pivot pin (ia is normally supported on a ledge 33a which prevents it from dropping out of place, upward movement being prevented by a cotter or other retaining means 3l!a extending through lugs 35a upstanding from the upper surface of the swivelblock and disposed on opposite sides of the aperture 28a. It is thus highly desirable that the swivel block be assembled with the stem in normal position with the supporting ledge 33a at the bottom, as in the preceding embodiment.

In order to avoid the possibility of incorrect assembly While maintaining full bearing area between all the flanges and corresponding bearing surfaces on the associated part, the flanges 21a and 28a have their edge surfaces coaxial but formed about different radii, so that the flange means Illa has its upper surface formed of substantially different area from its lower surface; for example, the ange 21a is formed longer or the edge surface 29a thereof is formed about a radius so much greater than that of the edge surface 3|]a of the flange 28a that under no circumstances can the swivel block 5ab be assembled with the coupler stem 4a to an extent sufficient to permit the application of the pivot pin 6a, even allowing for normal tolerances. I have found that a difference in radius of approximately onequarter inch is sufficient for the purpose, although I do not wish to be limited to this dimension. The bearing surfaces 3|a and 32a on the coupler stem are likewise formed about dilerent radii, corresponding, respectively, with the radii of the surfaces 298L and 30a, so that when the swivel block 5a is properly mated with the coupler stem 4a, all of the edge surfaces of the flanges on both members fully engage the corresponding bearing surfaces, providing the maximum bearing area for the transmission of buffing forces to the associated cushioning mechanism, such as is diagrammatically indicated by the reference character 39 in Figure l. At the same time, improper assembly of the swivel block 5a with the coupler stem IEL is prevented because of the difference between the radius of the flange 29a and that of the flange 30a. If such improper assembly were attempted as represented by dot-dash lines in Figure 7, the relatively long flange 21a would only partially engage the relatively close bearing surface 32a and prevent registry of the apertures 20a, Zla, 22a and 23a, with the apertures IIa and I2a, thereby making the pin 6a, if attempted to be inserted from below, engage the flange 8a rather than pass through the aperture I2a therein.

Cil

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided preferred forms of swivel butt couplers in which incorrect assembly of the parts is prevented, While at the same time provision is made for maximum bearing area between all of the flange edge areas and the corresponding pocket areas of the associated parts, and the avoidance of any bevelling or departure from vertical bearing surfaces for substantial distances on each side of the longitudinal central vertical plane of the coupler. Although I have only illustrated my improvements applied to a ycoupler and hori- Zontal yoke arrangement as illustrated, for example, in the Barrows Patent No. 1,431,717, it will, of course, be understood that I am not limited to this showing.

Although preferred embodiments have been illustrated, it will be understood that modications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:-

l. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem with a pair of rearwardly extending apertured flanges at the rear end thereof, a member with flange means received between said stem flanges and formed with an aperture normally registering with the stem flange apertures, and pivotal means extending through said apertures for connecting said member to said stem, the end surfaces of said flanges and flange means being coaxial with the apertures, said stem having surfaces disposed between the flanges coaxial with the flange apertures and normally engaged by the end surfacesof' said member flange means, said member having surfaces coaxial with the flange apertures and normally engaged by end surfaces of said stem flanges, said pivotal means engaging a portion of said member to hold it in position, said portion preventing the assembly of said pivotal means except in one direction relative te said member, Wherefore it is desired that said member be prevented from accidental assembly with the normally-positioned stem when upside down, said flange means having the upper surface formed of substantially different area from the lower surface and the engaged surfaces on the stem between the stem flanges being formed to correspond with the upper and lower surfaces of said member flange means, without interfering with normal angling between said coupler and member, and maintaining full normally vertical bearing area between said stem surfaces and the corresponding edge surfaces of the flange means, for the full vertical extent of said flange means, and for substantial distances on either side of the longitudinal center line of the coupler, while preventing assembly of the pivotal means with the coupler and member when the latter are in other than normal relative positions.

2. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem with a pair of rearwardly extending apertured flanges at the rear end thereof, a member withv a pair of flanges received between said stem flanges and formed with apertures normally registering with the stem flange apertures, and pivotal means extending through said apertures for connecting said member to said stem, the end surfaces of all of said flanges being coaxial with the apertures, said stem having surfaces dis posed between the flanges coaxial with its flange apertures and normally engaged by the end surfaces of the member flanges, said member having surfaces normally engaged by end surfaces v of said stem flanges, said pivotal means engaging a portion of the member to hold it in position, said portion preventing the assembly of said pivotal means except in one direction relative to said member, wherefore it is desired that the member be prevented from accidental assembly with the stem when upside down, one of said member flanges being appreciably larger than the other, and the engaged surfaces on the stem between the stem flanges being formed to correspond with the sizes of said member flanges Without interfering with normal angling between said coupler and member, and maintaining full bearing area between said stem surfaces and the corresponding edge surfaces of the flanges for the full flange thickness and for substantial distances on either side of the longitudinal center line of the coupler, while preventing assembly of the pivotal means with the coupler and member when the latter are in other than normal relative positions.

3. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem with a pair of rearwardly extending apertured flanges at the rear end thereof, a member with a pair o-f flanges received between said stem flanges and formed with apertures normally registering with the stem flange apertures, and pivotal means extending through said apertures for connecting said member to said stem, the end surfaces of all of said flanges being coaxial with said apertures, said stem having a pocket between said flanges with bearing surfaces coaxial with the stem flange apertures and normally engaged by the end surfaces of the member flanges, said member having surfaces normally engaged by end surfaces of said stem flanges, said pivotalmeans engaging a portion of the member to hold it in position, said portion preventing the assembly of said pivotal means except in one direction relative to said member, wherefore it is desired that the member be prevented from accidental assembly with the normally-positioned stem when upside down, one of said member flanges being bevelled along side portions only, spaced substantial distances from the vertical longitudinal central plane, and said pocketed portion of the stem having lugs adjacent the ends of the bearing surfaces and with diagonal surfaces formed to correspond with the bevelling of the member flange so that said flange is receivable in full bearing position only when the member is right side up as compared with the stem, the circumferential length of said lugs being small enough so as not to interfere with normal angling of the swivel block with respect to said stem, wherefore full bearing area between the pocket surfaces and the corresponding edge surfaces of the member flanges is maintained for the full flange thickness and for substantial distances on either side of' the longitudinal center line of the coupler, while assembly of the pivotal means with the coupler and member is prevented when the latter are in other than normal relative position.

4. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem with a pair of rearwardly exten-ding apertured flanges at the rear end thereof, a member with a pair of flanges received between said stem flanges and formed with apertures normally registering with the stem flange apertures, and pivotal means ex tending through said apertures for connecting said member to said stem, the end surfaces of all of said flanges being coaxial with said apertures, said stem and member having bearing surfaces coaxial with the corresponding flange apertures and normally engaged by the end surfaces of the flanges on the associated member,

said pivotal means being adapted to engage a portion of the member to hold it in position, said engagement preventing assembly of said pivotal means except in one direction relative to said member, whereby it is desired that the member be prevented from accidental assembly with the stem when upside down, one of said flanges being substantially larger in radius than the other flange of its pair, and the bearing surfaces having corresponding radii of curvature, whereby full bearing area between all the flanges and the bearing surfaces for the full flange thickness is maintained, while assembly of the pivotal means with the coupler and member, when the latter are in other than normal relative positions, 1s prevented.

5. A swivel butt coupler comprising a stem with a pair of rearwardly extending apertured flanges at the rear end thereof, a swivel block with a pair of flanges intermediate, and a pair of flanges embracing, said stem flanges and formed with apertures normally registering with the stem apertures, and pivotal means extending through said apertures for connecting said swivel block to said stem, the end surfaces of all of said flanges being coaxial with said apertures, said stem having a pocket between said flanges with bearing surfaces coaxial with the stem. flange apertures and normally engaged by the end surfaces of the intermediate swivel block flanges, said swivel block having surfaces between said intermediate and embracing flanges coaxial with the flange apertures and in normal engagement with end surfaces of said stem flanges, said pivotal means engaging a portion of the swivel block lower flange to hold it in position, said portion preventing assembly of said pivotal means except in one direction relative to said swivel block, wherefore it is desired that the swivel block be prevented from accidental assembly with the stem when in an abnormal position, one of said swivel block intermediate flanges being bevelled along side portions only spaced substantial distances from the vertical longitudinal central plane, and said pocketed portion of the stem having lugs adjacent the ends of the bearing surfaces and with diagonal surfaces formed to correspond with the bevelling of the swivel block flange so that said flange is receivable in full bearing position only when the swivel block is properly assembled with the stem, the circumferential length of said lugs being small enough so as not to interfere with normal angling of the swivel block with respect to said stem, wherefore full bearing area between the pocket surfaces and the corresponding edge surfaces of the swivel block flanges is maintained for the full flange thickness and for substantial distances on either side of the longitudinal center line of the coupler, while assembly of the pivotal means with the coupler and swivel block is prevented when the latter are in other than normal relative position.

6. A swivel butt coupler comprising a stem with a pair of rearwardly extending apertured flanges at the rear end thereof, a swivel block with a pair of flanges received between and another pair of flanges embracing said stem flanges and formed with apertures normally registering with the stem flange apertures, and pivotal means extending through said apertures for connecting said swivel block to said stem, the end surfaces of all of said ilanges being coaxial with said apertures, said stem and swivel block having bearing surfaces coaxial with the corresponding ilange apertures and normally engaged by the end surfaces of the flanges on the associated member, said pivotal means being adapted to engage a portion of the lower flange of the swivel block` to hold it in position, said engagement preventing assembly of the pivotal means except in one direction relative to said swivel block, whereby it is desired that the swivel block be prevented from accidental assembly with the stem when inverted from normal position, one of said intermediate swivel block flanges being substantially longer than the other of said intermediate llanges and the bearing surfaces on the coupler stem having corresponding radii of curvature so that full bearing area between all the flanges and the bearing surfaces for the full flange thickness is maintained, while assembly of the pivotal means with the coupler and swivel block, when the latter are in other than normal relative position, is prevented.

7, A swiveling coupler comprising a stem with a pair of apertured flanges at the rear end thereof, a member with flange means received between said stem flanges and formed with an aperture normally registering with the stem flange apertures, and pivotal means extending through all of said apertures for connecting said member to said stem and transmitting draft forces from the coupler to the member, the end surface of said stem flanges and flange means being coaxial with the apertures, said stem having surfaces disposed between the flanges and coaxial with and engaged by end surfaces of said member ange means, said member having surfaces disposed outwardly of said flange means coaxial with and engaged by the end surfaces of said stem flanges, one of said member flanges being larger than the other of said member flanges while maintaining a full bearing area between said stem surfaces and the corresponding end surface of the flange means for the full flange thickness thereof and for a substantial distance on either side of the longitudinal center line of the coupler, thereby preventing assembly of the coupler and member when in other than normal relative positions.

8. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem with a pair of rearwardly extending apertured flanges at one end thereof, a draft gear engaging member with flange means received between said stem flanges and formed with an aperture normally registering with the stem flange apertures, and pivotal means extending through all of said apertures for connecting said member to said stem and transmitting draft forces from the coupler to the member, the end surface of said stem anges and flange means being coaxial with the apertures, said stem and member having surfaces coaxial with and normally engaged by said flange means and flange end surfaces, one of said flanges being larger radially than the other of said flanges while maintaining a full bearingv area between the edge surface thereof and the corresponding engaging surface for the full flange thickness and for a substantial distance on either side of the longitudinal center line of the coupler, thereby preventing assembly of the coupler and member when in other than normal relative positions, and means on said member for supporting said pivot means and preventing assembly of said pivot means with said stem and member, except in one direction, relative to said member.

9. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem having a pair of apertured flanges at one end thereof, a member having a pair of anges received between said stem flanges and formed With apertures normally registering with the stem flange apertures, pivot means extending through all of said apertures for connecting said member and stem, the end surfaces of all of said flanges adjacent the longitudinal central plane thereof being equal to the full flange thickness and coaxial With said apertures, said stem and member having bearing surfaces coaxial with the corresponding ange apertures and normally engaged by the end surfaces of the flanges on the associated member, one of said flanges being larger in radius than the other flange of its pair, thereby preventing assembly of the pivotal means With the coupler and member when the latter are in other than normal relative positions.

10. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem having a pair of apertured fianges at one end thereof, a member with a pair of apertured flanges received between said stem anges, pivot means extending through all of said flange apertures for connecting said member and stem, the end surfaces of all of said fianges being coaxial With said apertures, said stem and member having bearing surfaces coaxial with the corresponding flange apertures and normally engaged by the end flange surfaces on the associated member, one of said member flanges being bevelled along side portions thereof, said bevels being spaced on either side of the vertical longitudinal central plane of the member, lugs on said stem adjacent the ends of one of the bearing surfaces and provided With diagonal surfaces formed to correspond with the bevels of the member flange so that said member flanges are in full stem bearing surface engagement only When said member is in normal position with said stem.

11. A swiveling coupler comprising a stem having a pair of apertured flanges at one end thereof, a draft gear engaging member having a pair of apertured flanges received between said stem flanges, pivot means extending through said flange apertures for connecting said member and stem, the end surfaces of all of said anges being coaxial with said apertures, said stem and member having bearing surfaces coaxial with the corresponding ange apertures and normally engaged by the end surface of the flanges on the associated member, one of said member flanges being bevelled along side portions thereof, said bevels being spaced on either side of the vertical longitudinal central plane of the member, spaced lugs on said stem adjacent the ends of one of the bearing surfaces, each lug being provided with an inclined surface formed to correspond With the bevels of the member flange, the circumferential length of each of said lugs being of such dimensions so as to permit an unrestricted swiveling movement of the coupler stem With respect to the member.

EMIL H. BLATTNER. 

